Waterfalls Brewhouse owner envisions new microbrewery and restaurant as a laid-back spot to relax

by Ashley Herzog

Tony Budroe, the owner of the new Waterfalls Brewhouse & Restaurant in Brecksville, has spent the last two years battling cancer.

“I spent two years going through chemo. It was really rough,” Budroe said.

When he started to regain his health, he decided he wanted to start a restaurant with a laid-back, “no pressure” atmosphere.

In October, he is realizing that dream, as he and his two children, Anthony and Michelle Budroe, open Waterfalls Brewhouse & Restaurant to the public.

The new restaurant and microbrewery is located at 8934 Brecksville Rd. Budroe said he plans to open its doors the first weekend in October, though an official date has not yet been set.

“Brecksville has some great eateries,” he said. “We want the Waterfalls Brewhouse & Restaurant to be unique in that it is a fun, laid-back atmosphere where people feel no pressure. We will have live music available on Fridays and Saturdays. Once we’ve been open a few weeks, we would like to start serving brunch on Sundays, as well.”

While Budroe is technically the brew house’s owner, he said, “This whole deal is really about my kids. It’s their restaurant. I’m just here to help them.

“My daughter Michelle will be handling the front-of-the-house operations. My son Anthony is brewing the beer.”

Budroe’s son became interested in brewing his own beers when he lived in Colorado and got a taste of the booming microbrew industry, Budroe said. He hopes to bring unique, hip beer selections to Brecksville.

Budroe joked, “This restaurant is for cool people. I’m not cool.”

Budroe’s children are following in their father’s footsteps by pursuing careers in the restaurant industry. Budroe has worked in restaurants for most of his life.

“I helped open the Dave & Buster’s in Westlake,” he said. “I’ve worked for TGI Friday’s; I’ve worked for Longhorn Steakhouse. This project is different. The Waterfalls Brewhouse is unique.”

Anthony did most of the design work for the new restaurant, including designing the signs out front.

“He also designed the menus,” Budroe said. “The bar was part of his vision, too; it’s all white oak.”

In addition to beers brewed in-house, Waterfalls will serve other craft beers, such as Great Lakes, Thirsty Dog and Jackie O’s. The menu features modern twists on classic pub fare, including mac n’ cheese bowls, burgers, quesadillas and poutine, “fries topped with cheese curd and a waterfall of gravy.”

“My vision is to have people come here and just relax,” Budroe said.

For more information, visit waterfallsbrewhouse.com.